Remember Your "Why" - The Power of Purpose & How to Find it

Life is hard - we are constantly faced with challenges that test our resolve and our ability to keep going.

How many times in your life do you think you have started something, but never finished it or never took it to where you first imagined?

Maybe it got too tough, maybe you didn't see the results you expected, maybe you got distracted by the next shiny penny...

But what keeps someone going?

What makes one person keep pushing forward through the difficulties, when another throws in the towel and quits?

Remembering your why - your purpose, the reason why you started, is the key...

"He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how" -Friedrich Nietzsche

The power of having a clear purpose: How understanding your "why" can drive motivation and success.

Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, observed the transformative power of having a sense of purpose in his seminal book, "Man's Search for Meaning." He argued that even in the most dire circumstances, having a sense of purpose can provide a sense of meaning and motivation.

According to Frankl, having a clear purpose in life can give us a sense of direction and make us feel that our actions are meaningful. He observed that those who were able to maintain a sense of purpose during the Holocaust were better able to endure the unimaginable suffering they were subjected to. In contrast, those who lost sight of their purpose were more likely to succumb to despair and hopelessness.

Frankl's observations have been supported by more recent research, which has found that having a sense of purpose is associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, as well as increased life satisfaction. This is because having a clear purpose provides a sense of direction and motivation, which can help us to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.

So, if you're looking to boost your motivation and achieve success, take the time to understand your "why" - the reason behind why you do what you do. By understanding your purpose, you'll be able to set more meaningful goals, find greater fulfilment in your work, and ultimately, achieve more in life.

The role of your "why" in setting and achieving goals.

Your "why" plays a crucial role in setting and achieving goals. When you understand the purpose behind your goals, you are more likely to be motivated and committed to achieving them. Having a clear understanding of your "why" can also help you to set more meaningful and purposeful goals that align with your values and passions.

For example, if your "why" is to make a positive impact on the world, you might set a goal to volunteer with a local organization or to develop a sustainable business model. On the other hand, if your "why" is to advance in your career, your goals might focus on gaining new skills, networking, or seeking promotions.

Additionally, when you understand your "why" it becomes easier to overcome obstacles that may come in your way. When challenges arise, you'll be able to remind yourself of the purpose behind your goal, and why it's important for you to achieve it. This can help you to stay motivated and focused, even when things get tough.

How your "why" can help in difficult decisions and overcoming obstacles.

Life is full of difficult decisions and obstacles that can make it challenging to achieve our goals. However, having a clear understanding of your "why" can help you navigate these challenges and make decisions that are in line with your values and purpose.

Furthermore, when you understand your "why" you are better equipped to anticipate and deal with potential roadblocks. This can help you to develop contingency plans, or to see opportunities where others see only problems.

When you understand your "why," you have a clear framework for making decisions.

 

For example, if your "why" is to provide a better life for your family so your children don't have to go through what you did, and you are faced with a choice between working hard to progress in your career for a potential promotion, or taking time out to go travelling with friends - asking yourself which route or action aligns closest with your why can help you identify the decision you need to make.

In this instance, it is likely you need to be focusing on your career to provide for your family - unless you have already reached a certain point which might allow you to be more flexible, and this brings me to my next point...

The importance of redefining your "why" as you grow and change.

As we go through life and we reach certain goals or go through key life events, our values, passions, and goals can change. 

It's important to take the time to revisit and redefine your "why" as you grow and change. This will help you to ensure that your actions and decisions align with your current values and passions, and that your goals are meaningful and purposeful.

For example, if your "why" was to provide for your family as per the example above, but now you've successfully raised your family and gave them everything they need and your kids have left home to live their own lives, maybe it's time to redefine your "why" and set new goals that align with your new values.

This could be focusing on your career, travelling the world, or making some sort of positive impact on society or the world.

Additionally, as we gain new experiences and learn more about ourselves, our "why" may change and evolve. It's important to be open to these changes and adjust your goals and actions accordingly.

Redefining your "why" can also be an opportunity to reassess your current situation and make sure you're on the right path. It can help you to let go of old goals and habits that no longer align with your values and passions.

So, hopefully you can see how important it is to identify your purpose and how this can impact the direction of your life. On the other hand, not knowing or having a purpose is no laughing matter.

The impact of not knowing your "why" on mental health and well-being.

Not having a clear understanding of your "why" can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being. When you don't know the purpose behind your actions and decisions, it can be easy to feel unfulfilled and lacking direction.

Research has shown that a lack of purpose and meaning in life is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety. Additionally, not having a clear sense of purpose can make it difficult to set and achieve goals, which can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.

Without a clear understanding of your "why," it can be hard to make decisions that align with your values and passions. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty and confusion. Additionally, when faced with obstacles or difficult decisions, it can be hard to stay motivated and focused without a sense of purpose.

As humans, we are programmed to be working towards something and making progress in some form.

When we feel like we aren't making any progress, that's when we can start to go into a negative spiral - you can even experience this when you succeed at achieving your purpose, vision or main goal. If you haven't already anticipated this point and set more goals or a new direction, you can suddenly find yourself feeling lost with no direction.

Finding your "why" through self-reflection and exploration.

Finding your "why" is an important step in living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. However, it can be a difficult process, and it may take some time and effort to discover your purpose. Here are some useful techniques, exercises, or ideas that you can use to establish your purpose and find your "why."

• Journaling

Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. Take some time to write about your values, passions, and goals, and try to identify patterns or themes that emerge.

• Mindfulness:

Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi can help you to quiet the mind and connect with your inner self. This can help you to better understand your thoughts and feelings, and to identify your purpose. Get comfortable and clear your mind!

• Goal setting:

Setting goals can help you to gain clarity on what you want to achieve in life. When you set goals, make sure they align with your values and passions. As you work towards achieving your goals, you may gain a better understanding of your "why."

• Volunteering or exploring new hobbies:

Giving back to your community or trying new hobbies can be a great way to gain a sense of purpose and meaning. By volunteering or exploring new activities you can learn more about what you're passionate about and what makes you feel fulfilled.

• Reflect on past experiences:

Remembering past experiences, especially the ones where you felt most fulfilled and accomplished, can also give you a sense of purpose. Take time to reflect on those experiences and try to understand what motivated you to act in that way.

• Self Questioning

Asking yourself questions can help to reveal and bring to your awareness things that you already subconsciously do but don't realise. For example, what do you spend most of your free time doing? What do you spend your money on? If money or time was no object, what would you spend your time doing? What do you enjoy talking about? What do you fear judgement on? How would you respond to someone new who asked what things you were interested in?

Conclusion

In summary, finding your "why" is an important step in living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. It can guide you in making difficult decisions and setting effective goals. Not knowing your "why" can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being.

In summary, it's important to revisit and redefine your "why" as you grow and change. This will help you to ensure that your actions and decisions align with your current values and passions.

You can establish your purpose through self-reflection and exploration but remember, it may take time and effort to discover your "why", so be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey.

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